Samsung has recently unveiled its latest premium tablet, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, positioning it as an upgrade to last year's S9 Ultra model. But with similar designs and many shared features, potential buyers may be wondering if the new tablet offers enough improvements to justify an upgrade. Let's take a closer look at how these two high-end Android tablets compare.
Design and Display: Subtle Refinements
At first glance, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra and S9 Ultra look nearly identical. Both feature:
- 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display (2960 x 1848 resolution)
- 120Hz refresh rate
- IP68 water and dust resistance
- Aluminum chassis with flat sides
- Quad-speaker setup tuned by AKG
The main visual difference is that the S10 Ultra is slightly thinner and lighter. However, Samsung has added an anti-reflective coating to the S10's display, which should improve visibility in bright environments.
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| The home screen of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra showcasing its vibrant display |
Performance: MediaTek Takes the Reins
The biggest change comes under the hood:
- S10 Ultra : MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ chip
- S9 Ultra : Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
Samsung claims the new MediaTek chip offers an 18% boost in CPU performance and a 28% jump in GPU capabilities. Both tablets offer up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage (expandable via microSD).
Software and AI: S10 Ultra Takes the Lead
The S10 Ultra launches with Android 14 and One UI 6.1.1, bringing Samsung's new Galaxy AI features to tablets. These include:
- Enhanced note-taking with auto-summarization
- Split-view editing
- PDF translation
- Google's 'Circle to Search' functionality
While the S9 Ultra will likely receive some of these features in future updates, the S10 Ultra has the advantage of longer software support, potentially matching Samsung's excellent update policy for flagship phones.
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| Using the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra to explore new AI features in a creative workspace |
Cameras, Battery, and Accessories
Both tablets feature identical camera setups:
- Rear: 13MP main + 8MP ultrawide
- Front: Dual 12MP (wide + ultrawide)
The 11,200mAh battery capacity and 45W fast charging support remain unchanged. However, the S10 Ultra's more efficient chip could lead to improved battery life.
Accessories, including the S Pen stylus and keyboard covers, are largely compatible across both generations.
Price and Verdict
Samsung has priced the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra similarly to its predecessor at launch. While the new model offers some improvements, particularly in processing power and software features, the differences may not be significant enough for S9 Ultra owners to justify an upgrade.
For new buyers seeking a top-tier Android tablet experience, the S10 Ultra represents the pinnacle of Samsung's offerings. However, budget-conscious shoppers might find better value in the S9 Ultra, especially if it sees price reductions following the S10's release.
Ultimately, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra refines an already excellent formula, but doesn't revolutionize it. The decision to upgrade will depend on how much you value the latest AI features and potentially longer software support.
